Their Lost Daughters (DI Jackman & DS Evans #2)(56)
‘I thought so. For that reason, I did a close examination of the room, and the wall in particular. It is almost impossible to see with the naked eye, but one wall isn’t plastered quite like the others, and under close scrutiny the faintest outline of a doorway is just visible.’
Jackman felt a thrill of excitement. ‘So the beds, and everything else were brought in from an entrance located somewhere on the Windrush property itself?’
‘Oh I think so. I suggest that the room was all set up, and then the entrance was sealed, either to stop anyone from Windrush stumbling upon it, or else to make it look as though it has nothing to do with the owner. The beds are almost certainly a legacy from the time when the house was used as a sanatorium.’ Rory took a breath. ‘When we hand the scene back to you, I suggest you consult my dear little friend Ted again. Perhaps he could use some of his wonderful equipment and investigate what is on the other side of the wall?’
‘I’ll do that, Rory. Believe it or not, he’s still here. He and one of our IT lads are busy transposing all the underground tunnels and old structures into some sort of computerised map of the estate.’
‘Excellent! He always liked a challenge. And while you are talking to him, do you think you could you ask him if he knows of a locally-based forensic anthropologist who would be prepared to give us a hand with the oldest skeleton? I’ve got my hands full and I’m pretty sure that lady holds some big secrets.’
‘I’ll ask him. And what do you mean, “big secrets?”’
‘Well, I can tell you that this is not the first place where that girl was laid to rest.’
Jackman’s brow drew together. ‘Exhumed? Dug up? Can you expand on that? My mind is throwing up some rather bizarre scenarios right now.’
‘Probably no more outlandish than the truth. This lass was most definitely brought here sometime after her original passing. Don’t ask me how I know, my report will fill you in on that.’
Jackman let out a long breath. ‘I’ll definitely ask Ted about finding someone to help you with her. As you said, she could be the key to what happened.’
‘Well, I’d better get back to my private Hades. I cannot tell you how much work we have to do tonight.’
‘How are you going to cope, Rory? There are so many bodies. The morgue is not geared for it, plus your everyday stuff.’
Rory laughed. ‘I’ll share a secret with you. There is a special facility down in the bowels of the hospital. It’s not widely known about, but it was set up yonks ago to enable the Home Office to handle a major epidemic or a natural disaster. It hasn’t been used for years, not since that heatwave that took so many of our old people. Right now, I’ve got some of my technicians down there getting it powered up and ready to roll. So don’t worry, dear heart, there’s plenty of room for all. Now I must go. We’ll talk later.’
Jackman ended the call and wondered about that first girl. Had the killer murdered her, buried her, then returned much later and exhumed her body in order to place her in a hospital bed with pretty flowers on the locker? Jackman gave a snort of disbelief, and went in search of Ted Watchman.
He found the young archaeologist still poring over ancient maps and computer printouts. On hearing about the wall and a possible door in the underground chamber, Ted’s eyes lit up and he said he’d love to investigate it. He told Jackman that one of the university faculty members, Professor Jan Wallace, was a brilliant forensic anthropologist, and he’d ring her first thing in the morning.
Jackman ordered him to go get some sleep, and then went to look for Marie.
‘Harlan Marsh were not particularly helpful,’ she muttered. ‘But hopefully everything will be in place for the morning. They reckon Micah Lee is pretty flaky.’
‘Tell us something new.’ Jackman frowned. ‘I really wanted to talk to him tonight, but the bloody Police and Criminal Evidence Act won’t allow it. A load of wrist-binding red tape that we are stuck with.’
‘Don’t worry, we’ll see him first thing.’ Marie stifled a yawn.
Jackman didn’t hide his own yawn. ‘Let’s hope he’s a little more amenable then.’
Marie grimaced. ‘You’d think he owned the place. I’ve never seen such an angry man.’
‘Maybe a night in the cells might make him a tad more helpful.’ Jackman let out a sigh. ‘Let’s go find the others, then get home. What a bloody awful day!’
They found the whole team gathered in the CID room, all looking grey with fatigue.
‘Okay, guys, pack up whatever you’re doing. Our suspects have been tucked up for the night by their custody sergeants, so we can do no more. Go home, all of you.’
Marie turned to Gary. ‘Ready, flatmate? My guest room awaits you, and so do the meagre contents of the fridge, unless you fancy picking up a microwave meal on our way home?’
‘I’ve got some food in a freezer bag in my car, Sarge. I can rustle us up something in half the time it would take to get through the supermarket, even at this time of night.’
Marie licked her lips. ‘How long did you say you were staying?’ She turned to Jackman. ‘Night, sir. See you in a few hours.’
He lifted his hand to them, and then made his way slowly to his office. He desperately wanted to get back to his comforting home in the windmill, warm himself beside the Aga and snuggle down in his cosy bed. But he knew he should use the comparative quiet of the night in the police station to think through everything that had happened.